Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I get a copy of my credit report?
2. How do I correct or dispute an item on my credit report?
3. How do I add a Fraud Alert or Active Duty Alert to my credit file.
5. How do I add a Security Freeze to my credit file?
6. How do I temporarily lift or remove a Security Freeze?
7. How long does derogatory information stay on my personal credit report?
9. How can I get my credit score?
10. How can I monitor my credit information online?
11. How do I opt out of receiving offers of credit?
12. What is the relationship between CSC and Equifax?
13. Helpful contact information.
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Answers
1. How can I get a copy of my credit report?
You are entitled to receive one free credit disclosure every twelve months from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
Click Annual Credit Report to request a copy of your free annual credit file or call 1.877.322.8228.
You may request a free copy of your credit file under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) from CSC Credit Services only if:
- You were denied credit, insurance or employment in the past 60 days based on your CSC Credit Services' or Equifax credit file.
- You are a victim of identity theft or fraud.
- You certify that you are on government assistance.
- You certify that you are currently unemployed and seeking employment.
- You receive a risk-based pricing notice.
Click FCRA credit report if you are requesting a free copy under the FCRA.
Requests by mail should be sent to: CSC Credit Services, Attn: Consumer Assistance, P.O. Box 740040, Atlanta, GA 30374
When requesting a copy of your credit report from CSC Credit Services by mail, include a copy of the letter of denial or the name of the company to which you applied for credit, insurance or employment.
If you are not eligible for a free credit file under FCRA for one of the above-mentioned reasons, fees may apply:
States with no fees:
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Vermont
States with a $5.00 fee:
- Connecticut
States with a $3.00 fee:
- Maine
- Minnesota
Credit reports in all other states are $11.50 each.
2. How do I correct or dispute inaccuracies in my credit history?
If you believe that any item of information contained in your credit file is incomplete or incorrect, we will investigate the item.
a. You can initiate an investigation online - click dispute to begin the process. The status and results of the investigation may also be viewed using this link.
Based on the result of the investigation, we will either update the current status of the disputed information (which may include letting you know if the furnisher of the information verified it was reporting correctly) or delete the item from your file.
Please note - when completing the online form, the Confirmation Number field is not a required field.
Completion of the dispute process can take up to 30 days for requests made under the FCRA and up to 45 days for requests made under the annual free credit report.
Within five days of completion of the investigation of your dispute, the results of the investigation will be sent to you via First Class mail or online depending on the origin of your request. The consumer report will include contact information and a toll-free number where you can reach a CSC Credit Services representative should you have questions.
b. You can initiate an investigation by mail.
Written dispute requests can be submitted by mail to:
CSC Credit Services, Attn: Consumer Assistance, P.O. Box 740040, Atlanta, GA 30374
You must include the following information with all disputes submitted in writing to CSC Credit Services, including any follow-up to your dispute. This information must be provided for each dispute, even if you have already provided the same information in a previous dispute.
- Your full name (including suffix, if applicable)
- Current address and former address(es) within the last five years
- Social Security number
- Date of Birth
- Complete Company name and Account number for the item(s) that you are disputing
- All information or documentation to support your dispute
c. For updates or changes to your name or address:
If your personal information (name, address, etc.) is incorrect on your credit file, we recommend that you first contact each of your creditors and confirm that your personal information is correct in their records. Updating your personal information with your creditors will help to ensure that information reported by your creditor is correct.
3. How do I add a Fraud Alert or Active Duty Alert to my credit file?
Victims of identity theft or fraud can add a Fraud Alert, also known as a Security Alert, to their CSC Credit file. Click online alerts to add an initial 90-day Fraud Alert to your credit file.
You may also use the online alerts form to add an Active Duty Alert for military personnel. Upon the direct request of an active duty military consumer, or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of such consumer, an Active Duty Alert may be added to the consumer's file for 12 months and excludes the consumer from prescreened lists for two years (unless the consumer or representative requests that it be removed earlier.)
Send requests by mail to:
CSC Credit Services, Attn: Fraud Victim Assistance, P.O. Box 740041, Atlanta, GA 30374
Victims of identity theft or fraud may add an Extended Fraud Alert that will remain on the credit file for up to seven years. Requests must be submitted in writing.
To add an Extended Fraud Alert, update your Fraud Alert, including the telephone numbers listed in the fraud alert, or to remove the Fraud Alert from your credit file, you must send two forms of acceptable documentation. The documents you provide must contain your current name, address, a photo ID and Social Security number.
When requesting an Extended Fraud Alert (not an update or removal), you must also include a copy of the original Identity Theft Report (Police Report.)
Please submit the appropriate documents from the document types listed below.
Government issued identification cards (state or federal) - some examples are: Social Security card, Driver's license/State ID, Military ID, Birth certificate, Passport or Medicare card.
Social Security number
- Government issued identification card (state or federal)
- Pay stub (containing complete Social Security number)
- Letter from the Social Security administration
- W2
Name
- Marriage license or divorce decree
- Legal name change
- W2
Date of Birth
- Government issued identification card (state or federal)
Address
- Government issued identification card (state or federal)
- Current utility bill
- Current lease agreement
- Current billing statement
- W2
Note - only one form of identification is required for Social Security number, Date of Birth or address change.
4. What is a Security Freeze?
A security freeze prohibits a consumer reporting agency from releasing a consumer file relating to the extension of credit involving that consumer without the express authorization of the consumer.
5. How do I add a Security Freeze to my credit file?
Click security freeze to expedite your request to place a security freeze on your CSC credit file.
You may choose to request a security freeze by calling the Equifax automated phone line at 1.800.685.1111 or submit your request in writing to:
Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
6. How do I temporarily lift or remove a Security Freeze?
If you currently have a security freeze on your credit file and would like to temporarily lift it for a creditor, there are two options:
1. You may request a temporary lift for a specific credit grantor
2. You may request a date range lift for a specific period of time, ranging from one day to one year.
Click security freeze to use the online process to lift or remove a security freeze on your credit file or call the Equifax automated phone line at 1.800.685.1111.
You may also send your request in writing to:
Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
7. How long does derogatory information stay on my personal credit report?
Derogatory information can remain on your credit file up to seven years from the date of first delinquency that led up to the charge off, collection, repossession or foreclosure.
Exceptions to this ruling are:
Bankruptcy
- Chapters 7 and 11 remain on the credit file 10 years from the date filed.
- Chapter 13 dismissed or no disposition rendered remains on the credit file 10 years from the date filed.
- Liens
- Unpaid tax liens remain on the credit file indefinitely.
- Paid tax liens remain on the credit file for up to 7 years from the date released.
Judgments
- Judgments remain on the credit file 7 years from the date filed.
8. What is a credit score?
Your credit score is a number based on the information in your credit file that shows how likely you are to pay a loan back on time - the higher the score, the less risk you represent. The credit score that lenders use is called a FICO score. Your FICO score helps a lender determine whether you qualify for a loan and what interest rate you'll pay. FICO scores are calculated from credit data in your credit file that can be grouped into five categories: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and types of credit used. Visit my FICO for more information about credit scores.
9. How can I get my credit score?
Your credit score is generated by information on your credit report, but is not part of the credit report itself. Click credit score to find out how to purchase your Equifax credit score.
10. How can I monitor my credit information online?
Visit credit monitoring for information on monitoring your personal credit online through Equifax.
11. How do I opt out of receiving offers of credit?
To opt out of receiving prescreened offers of credit, call 1.888.567.8688. Please be sure to call from the telephone number that you wish to register.
You may also opt out of receiving prescreened credit offers at opt out prescreen.
12. What is the relationship between CSC and Equifax?
CSC Credit Services is an Equifax affiliate and is considered the largest independent consumer reporting agency in the United States. CSC Credit Services owns credit files in 15 mid-western and central states and they are reported through the Equifax credit reporting system.
13. Helpful Contact Information
Fair Credit Reporting Act or 1.877.382.4357
Social Security Administration or 1.800.772.1213
Credit Score/My Fico or 1.800.777.2066